Some of the top names in crime fiction will be heading to Norwich in September for the fourth annual Noirwich Crime Writing Festival.

Eastern Daily Press: Martina Cole is among the authors taking part in the 2017 Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. Photo: supplied by Noirwich Crime Writing Festival.Martina Cole is among the authors taking part in the 2017 Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. Photo: supplied by Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. (Image: supplied by Noirwich Crime Writing Festival)

Val McDermid, Anthony Horowitz, Martina Cole, Mark Billingham, Arne Dahl and Stuart MacBride are the headline writers of the festival which will run from September 14 to 17.

Noirwich is a collaboration between the University of East Anglia and Writers' Centre Norwich.

Henry Sutton, co-director of the festival, and director of the Crime Fiction MA at UEA, said: 'Noirwich is a public celebration of the genre that dominates all others in the literary and film worlds. We are thrilled that the greatest talents will be here once again, in what promises to be gripping series of events.'

Chris Gribble, chief executive of Writers' Centre Norwich, added: 'Noirwich has firmly established itself on the map of UK crime writing festivals. It has increased its audience numbers significantly year on year, and if season ticket sales so far are anything to go by, this trend looks set to continue in 2017 and beyond.'

Eastern Daily Press: Val McDermid is among the authors taking part in the 2017 Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. Photo: supplied by Noirwich Crime Writing Festival.Val McDermid is among the authors taking part in the 2017 Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. Photo: supplied by Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. (Image: supplied by Noirwich Crime Writing Festival)

This year the festival takes place at Norwich Arts Centre, UEA, and Jarrold, with fringe events also happening across Norwich.

For more information about the programme and to book tickets, visit www.noirwich.co.uk or call thebox office on 01603 877177.

Follow the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival on Twitter @NOIRwichFest